The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen ran June 17-19, bringing together chefs, winemakers, and industry pros for seminars, brand activations, and Grand Tastings across restaurants, bars, private homes, parks, and the mountaintop. Presenters included Bobby Flay, Maneet Chauhan, and Andrew Zimmern.
Seminars I attended: The World Cup Wine with Sabato Sagaria, MS, and Gary Obligacion; A Sangiovese Tasting with Bobby Stuckey, MS, and Carlin Karr; Building the Perfect Cellar with Mark Oldman; and Legendary California Wines with Blackberry Farm’s Andy Chabot and Blackberry Mountain’s Logan Griffin.
In the Grand Tasting tents, standout booths included Butterfield & Robinson (olive oil, bread, and Aspen-branded socks), Brennan’s of New Orleans celebrating its 80th anniversary with Nola faves like bananas foster, Sunset tomatoes serving negroni caprese and mini poke tacos, Carloalberto Furia of Famiglia Furia (Valpolicella winemakers since 1940, pouring Amarone, Ripasso, Pinot Grigio, and Lugana), Joan Cusiné Carol of Parés Baltà (organic/biodynamic wines from Penedès, Spain, since 1790), and a spaghetti frittata from Telly Justice (Food & Wine’s 2025 Best New Chefs class).
Around town, Wednesday kicked off with Aspen Magazine’s Art of the Party at the Aspen Art Museum rooftop, with Tyler Florence serving tomahawk steak and talking why he loves Aspen with editor-in-chief Michael McCarthy. Thursday brought The St. Regis Aspen’s Opening Party, hosted poolside by Food & Wine EIC Hunter Lewis; Hotel Jerome’s Farmer’s Market Celebration of Auberge Chefs & Colorado Ingredients; Chef Ludo Lefebvre’s debut of Petit Familia atop The Mollie; and Amex and Resy’s Thai barbecue at Ajax Tavern with Chutatip “Nat” Suntaranon (Kalaya) and Ohm Suansilpong and Kiki Suparp (Kru). Friday had a tequila theme with Tears of Llorona hosting happy hour at Il Baretto, led by brand ambassador Luigi Rodriguez and Sant Ambroeus mixologist Gerardo Mazza; the Top of the Mountain Party: Classic Invitational followed, featuring a Run the Jewels set and bites from Simon Kim (Gracious Hospitality, COQODAQ/COTE) and Stephanie Izard (Girl & the Goat – LA and Chicago), and later The Blackbird Club at Ajax Tavern hosted a late-night pop-up with NYC’s Sip & Guzzle. Saturday’s Smuggler Social offered cocktails, a meat-and-seafood spread, live music from The Saint Cecilia Band, and historic mine tours, benefiting the Aspen Environment Foundation, before closing out the night at OpenTable’s late-night party at Matsuhisa Aspen.
Everyone is already looking forward to June 18-20, 2027, for the 44th annual Classic. www.foodanwineclassic.com
To find out more about what is happening in Aspen, click here:
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- The hip-hop superduo of Atlanta-based rapper Killer Mike and Brooklyn-based rapper and producer El-P and rocking the Sundeck. May Selby photo.
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- Small plates and flavorful drinks at Petit Familia atop the Mollie. May Selby photo.
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- Ray Zaidan of Sunset tomatoes serving negroni caprese and mini poke tacos – the best! May Selby photo.
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- Javier Gonzalez-Bringas who was an anchor in the former Spain Tent for many years with close friend Joan Cusiné Carol of Parés Baltà winery in Spain. May Selby photo.
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- Active travel company Butterfield & Robinson, based in Toronto, made a mark at the Classic – Laura Benn, Chloe Philippe, and Lauren Armstrong. Courtesy photo.
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- Top Chef 2025 Finalist Laurence Louie serving up his lobster toast at the opening party at The St. Regis. May Selby photo.
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- Telly Justice and Camille Lindsley of HAGS in NYC. May Selby photo.
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- Hotel Jerome’s Farmer’s Market Celebration of Auberge Chefs & Colorado Ingredients with Chef Michael DeCicco of The Dunlin in South Carolina. May Selby photo.
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- Holly Huffman MacDonald, Tears of Llorona brand ambassador Luigi Rodriguez, and May Selby at Il Baretto. Ashton Hudson photo.
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- She said yes! Lizzy Becker sporting a sparkly ring at Food & Wine from her fiancé, Mike Flory. May Selby photo.
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- Famiglia Furia’s first booth at the Classic with Tori Keefe and Carloalberto Furia. May Selby photo.
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- The annual mountaintop top talent group shot for Food & Wine! Huge Galdones photo.
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- Anita Montero and Katherine Brennan of New Orleans’ staple Brennan’s celebrate the beloved restaurant’s 80th. May Selby photo.
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- Jordan Kepler with Rancher Blades at the Smuggler Social presented by Aspen One. May Selby photo.
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- The World Cup of Wine Seminar led by Sabato Sagaria at left and Gary Obligacion at right with wine enthusiasts from Manhattan in attendance – Holly Huffman MacDonald and Christian MacDonald. Courtesy photo.
